The Last Favor

Chapter 8

Bryce walked out to find Sylvester with a bow and arrow aiming at a target 20 yards away. The kid was in complete awe as the arrow hit the bullseye with perfect aim.

“Do you wish to learn?”

“You can teach me that?!” Bryce couldn’t hide the excitement he was feeling

“It does take time and practice,” Sylvester said, “I believe the key is perseverance. With that in mind, anybody could do it. It’s a wonderful sport and a great weapon.”

He, then, walked to the nearest tree and put his hand on the lowest branch as he closed his eyes and whispered words that Bryce wasn’t able to hear. The branch then turned into a bow. Afterwards, he reached for a few arrows from his quiver and gave them to the kid.

After an hour or so, Sylvester had taught Bryce the correct position, the aiming and all the basics he needs to know and the kid absorbed it all with enthusiasm.

After fifteen minutes of practicing next to Sylvester, he got tired of missing and seeing his arrows reach less than the quarter of the distance Sylvester’s arrows were reaching which is why he told him that he’ll be going in to check on Tristan because he must be feeling lonely without him. Or so he assumed.

“Keep the bow,” announced Sylvester.

“Really?” There was something in the way Bryce’s eyes light up that would warm any fool’s heart.

“Really.”

Inside the library, Tristan wasn’t making as much progress as he had wished. These damn Selgnirp shelves were too tall which made it almost impossible to reach the books. So, when he finally got one of the books he needed, he plunged into it forgetting the whole world around so much that he couldn’t even tell how much time had passed.

That is his only explanation as to why he did not hear Bryce come in. Here’s what he did notice: the arrow that clumsily landed next to his foot. He stared at it with a face void of all emotions, then stared at the culprit standing a few feet away.

“Look what Sylvie taught me!” Sylvie? He gave him a nickname? That isn’t weird at all. “Do you want to know a secret? I missed on purpose,” whispered the kid, “I actually didn’t want to hurt you. I just wanted you to notice me.”

“Get on my shoulders,” Tristan said as he put a book aside, “I need you to get me a book.”

“Which one?” The kid was thrilled at the idea of Tristan needing him

“The one titled ‘Thieving Creatures’”

“What does it look like?” the kid asked as he approached him

“You can’t tell the book by its’ cover,” Tristan explained, “you have to read the title.”

“But…” the kid stared at the ground with rosy cheeks as he muttered, “I can’t”

“You… you can’t read?” Tristan was caught off guard.

“Of course, I can’t read,” Bryce flared up, “I’m only seven and I spend my time running after you like a lost puppy because my own mommy and daddy can’t stand me.”

“You’re no use to me illiterate.”

“Well, who would teach a stupid kid like me how to read,” he spat with shaky breath, “when you won’t even teach me about magic.”

“Come here.” Tristan sat down where he stood as Bryce came to sit next to him. “Repeat after me.”

And so, Tristan taught him the alphabet song which Bryce tried his best to memorize by heart.

After half an hour, Tristan got up.

“Go ask Sylvester to bring me paper.”

Bryce nodded and left the room.

When he found Sylvester and asked him for paper for Tristan, he whispered more to himself than to Sylvester, “he does teach me things, important things.”

They walked into the library together with Bryce still singing the alphabet song.

“Can’t reach them,” Tristan declared as he kept reading the book he was able to seize.

“Of course you can’t,” laughed Sylvester, “how silly of me.”

He reached for a few books which he handed to Tristan.

“Here, that should be all you’ll need. I’ll be in the kitchen preparing lunch.” He left the room as soon as he finished his sentence.

Hours have passed as Tristan and Bryce worked in the library. While Bryce has made some serious progress due to him being headstrong, Tristan on the other hand found his task a bit more challenging.

He couldn’t find much about the Ota Trops. He learnt that they travel in groups so when there’s one there’s many. He also learnt that if bitten by an Ota Trops, one needs to swallow charcoal immediately to prevent the toxins from entering the pores. But the most important lesson he learnt is that they only attack at night because they’re scared of people and the many movements during the day which gave him an idea that would probably work.

When Sylvester called them for lunch, Tristan was ready to leave and finally be at ease. However, the Selgnirp would not have them leave on an empty stomach.

As soon as lunch was over, Tristan got up ready to leave.

“Bryce dear,” said Sylvester, “why don’t you go outside and work on your aim?”

“Maybe, I’ll just stay here and work on my alphabet.” Something about the way Tristan was cautiously eying him worried Bryce. Is Sylvester trying to get rid of him to be alone with Tristan?

“Don’t be so silly,” he accused, “you have all eternity to work on that but how often will you have this many arrow and a target?”

“Go,” Tristan, still on his guard, ordered.

Bryce left the room hesitantly and as soon as they were alone, Tristan pulled out his talisman and reached for his sword ready to kill the mage.

“Easy there, friend,” Sylvester chuckled nervously, “I just wanted to talk without Bryce around. He admires you too much and I wouldn’t want to be the one to tell him the truth you’re hiding from him.”

“Doesn’t matter. He could have stayed.” He loosened his grip on the sword letting it fall back into his scabbard as he gripped his talisman tighter just in case.

“Heavens!” exclaimed the healer, “you truly have no reason to be on your guard, friend. I have no desire of hurting you whatsoever. I will admit this: your staying here is to my benefit. You see, this village is under my protection and many families depend on me. Therefore, I can’t have you running loose in my village in case you… well you know. So, having you here benefits us both. You get to use my library and I get to keep an eye on you just in case.”

“What do you really want?” Tristan interrogated.

“While we are grateful that you’ll rid us of these Ota creatures,” replied Sylvester, “I do wish that you leave the village as soon as you’re finished. Of course, you will always be welcomed in my house, but please do not roam the village unnecessarily.”

“I need buckets and bells.”